Illuminated sign



April 1l, 1933- F. c. suTLxFr-E ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Jhe 12, 1929 IN VEN TOR.

Ez WS Patented Apr. l1, 1933 t UNITED STATES ILLUMIitATni) SIGN Application inea June 12, 1929.` serial Nb. 370,284.

The invention relates particularly to illuminated signs of the rotary type.

The primary obj A provision of a'rotary sign, the illuminating 5 element of which is rotated when 'the sign is in operation, means being provided to connect said sign and said rotating illuminating elements to a source of electricity at all times. Another object of the invention is the provision of an illuminated sign in which a plurality of light elements of different colors are displayed and rotated, said light elements being connected to a source of electricity in series, so as to allow the continuous flow of electricity thru the light elements during the rotation of the sign. l

A further object of the `invention is the provision of an illuminated sign, in which a plurality of spiral lightv elements of different colors are disposed in a winding form somewhat similar to the windings of triple threads; said elements are connected in series with each other, means being'provided to connect the series of elements to a source of electricity so as to assure a continuouscontact and connection when the elements are fro tated as a unit around the axis of the spirals.

Particularly it is the object of my inven tion to provide an illuminatedbarber pole 3 or the like sign, in which a plurality of spiral neon tubes are arranged for unitary rotation around a central axis common to all ofV said spirals; said tubes being filled with diff ferent gases producing different color effects when connected to a source of electric current; means beingl provided for the. rotation of the tubes as a unit; and Jfor establishing the series connection of said'tubes with the source of electric current at all times.

Other objects and advantages are to provide an illuminated sign of the Vrotarytype, that will be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positiva ness of operation, and facility and conven- 5 ience in use and general efficiency.

In this specification and the annexed draw-- ing, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the best, but it is to'belunder' stoodV that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodiedin ect of the invention isthe other forms;and itis also to be understood that in and' by the claims following the der scription, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The inventionis clearlyillustratedin the accompanying drawing in which;v i `f Fig. 1 4is 1a longitudinal sectional view of` the illuminated rotary sign constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 isa side View oan end of the rotary 60 element of the sign; and j Fig. 8 shows end views of the opposite endsfot the rotary element of my sign, and 1 the wiring diagram of the connection of the rotary element to a source of electricity'. 65

In carrying out my invention I make use of three spiral neo-n tubes 5, 6 and 7, wound spacedly around ace-ntral shaft 8? as anV axis. Each tube is illed with suitable gas for producing illumination of a certain Acolor when electric current is passed therethru. Tube 5 isv filled with-'a gas producing red color;` tube 6 provides white illumination, and tube 7 providesblue color". Theabove mentioned color combination is preferred in connection with barber poles, however, anyother .suitable color combination may be effected, if so* desired. 'The gases in the usual' neon tubes, for the different colors, have different .re-.- sistance to the flow ofelectricf current, there- 30 fore it is preferable to connect the neon: tubes in series with' a source of electricity.v

The connection of the tubes 5, '6 and 7 vto eacli other and to a source of electricity is accomplished on circularldisks 9 and 11upon 35' which the ends ofv the tubes 5, 6 and 7 are supported. The disks9 andl 11 in turn?, are mounted on the shaft 8 so as tol rotatev therewith. On the disk 9 are electrodes 12, 13 and 14 connected respectively to the ends of the 9 tubes 5, 6 and?. Ony the other disk llfare mounted electrodes 16, 17, and 18 connected respectively-tothe other ends of-the tubesv 5, 6 and 7. In; order to connect. the tubes 5', 6 and in seriesftlieelectrodes.13 and 14 are 95 connected to each otherl at the Vupper end of the tubes, and the electrodesV 16 land 18 atthe lower endsof the tubes, are also connected to each other, thus vallowing a continuous `flow of, electric current from the 'electrode 12 thru 100 tube 5, then thru electrodes 16 and 18, and thru the tube 6, to electrodes13 and 14, and thru the tube 7 to electrode 17. The How of electric current thru the tubes causes the illumination thereof in their respective colors.

connected to the electrode 17 both ring con#` tacftsy 19Y and 21 are concentric with the shaft source ofelectricity, which causes the glovsrv 8,k and are insulated from the'shunte'd contacts 13V and .14C and 16 and 18 respectively by insulating disks 9 and 11. Y

In order to .support the rentire revolving unit heretofore set forth, I provide opposed brackets 23 and 24, Vadapted tofbe attached to a wall or to any other supporting surface. The brackets 23 and 24 are spaced from leach other and the inner edges thereof have grooves 26 therein into which fits a transparent cylinder 27, preferably made of glass.

Electric conduits 28and 29 extend respecf tively into the brackets'23 and 24. Each of these conduits 28 and'29 is connected to a brush contact 31, one above the disk. '9 and the .other ybelow the other disk 11. The

brushes 31 are in contact with the respective contact rings 22 at all times.

The rotation ofthe shaft 8 is accomplished by` an electric motor 32, on the shaft of which is mounted a worm 33, in mesh with a gear 34 on the shaft 8. l

While the motor 32 rotates the shaft 8 and thetubes 5, 6 and 7 as a unit therewith, the brushes 31 constantly connect the tubes to a of the gases in the tubes in the colors of red, white and blue respectively. The spiral 'tubes thus rotating form the illuminated barber pole, in which the illuminating elements themselvesarey the different colored stripes, and are yrotated around an aXis com mon to all the spirals, of the sign.

It Lwill be recognizedvthat a particularly facile illuminatedV sign is provided, which utilizes spiral illuminating tubes efficiently and with brilliant effect. The sign combines positiveness of operation, with a ruggedness of construction and simplicity, especially adapting it for its use. Thesign does not require any careful adjustment and setting up,rand it .may bey readily assembled, connected, and operated by the average layman.

Different color'combinations may be further achieved byusing different coloredtubes to lblend with thepcolor of the glowing gas in the tubes.` vFurthermore colored tubes of othertypes than neon tubes, may be similarly arranged and lconnected to produce the brilliant sign effect heretofore set forth. In some instances straight tubes, or tubes curved otherwise than spirally may be employed and produce still further different illuminated signs. However, in all embodiments of my invention, the tubes are connected to each other and to a, source of electricity in such manner as to allow the rotation of the illuminating elements themselves without disturbing their electrical connections. y

Havingthus described this invention, what I claim and desire t0 secure by Letters Patent 1. An illuminated sign comprising a plurality of illuminating elements disposed in parallel windings and connected in series with each other; rotating meansto carry said illuminating elements as a unit; means to rotatably support said rotating means; Aand means outside the space surrounded by the tubes to connect'said elements to a sourceof electricity. y Y

2. An illuminated sign comprising a plurality of parallel spiral, and tubular illuminating elements arrangedto enclose a substantially cylindrical space; rotating ymeans to support said elements in position; means outside of said space to connect said elements in series with each other and to a source of electricity; and a frame outside the tubes to support said rotating means. f

3. An illuminated sign comprisingl a plurality of spiral, illuminating tubes containing substances which glow when electric current is passed therethru and which offer different resistances to the flow of electricity therethru; said` tubes being arranged to en.-

vother and means to rotatesaid supportvand said tubes as a unit. v f v,

4. Anv illuminated sign comprising a plurality of spiral neon tubes of different colors and different resistances to the flow of electricity therethru; said tubes being arranged to enclose a substantially cylindrical space; means outside of v,said space, to connect lsaid tubes in series with a source of electricity; means to support said tubes in a substantially parallelposition; a frame in which lsaid sup-V port-ing means/is journaled; and means to rotate said supporting means with the spiral tubes thereon as a unit. l Y

5. AnV illuminated sign comprising a pluralityrof parallel spiral and tubular illuminating elements filled with inert gas, means to support the opposite ends -of the elements in iiXedly spaced relation relatively to one an-v other; an electrode on each end of each element; means on thesupporting means outside of the space surrounded by the tubes to connect the electrodes so as to establish a series connection thru said element; a frame in Which the supporting means are rotatably supported; means to rotate said supports to carry said elements around its axis of rotation; and stationary contacts on the frame outside of said space being connected to a source of electricity and contacting'vvith the respective connecting means to convey electricity to said series circuit.

6. An illuminated sign comprising a plurality of spiral, illuminating tubes containing substances which glow When electric current is passed therethru .and which offer different resistances to the iioW of electricity therethru; a frame; a rotary element having spaced tube supports thereon, being rotatably mounted in the frame; an electrode at each end of each tube adapted to mount the respective ends of the tubes on the supports; means on each support to connect the ends of certain tubes to each other so as to connect the tubes into a series circuit, conductor rings on the su ports outside of the space enclosed by the tu es; stationary contact elements on the frame, each contacting With the adjacent ring and being connected to a source of electricity; and means on the frame to rotate said rotary element and the tube supports together.

7. An illuminated sign comprising a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, parallel `discs secured to the frame, tubes of light transmitting material and containing rarefied gas arranged in parallel spirals being supported on the discs, connections in each disc to connect the tubes in series With each other, a contacting ring on the outside of eachl disc connected to the adjacent terminal of the series of tubes, stationary contact members on the frame engaging the respective contact rings and being connected to asource of electricity, and means to rotate said shaft and discs and tubes. l

8. An illuminated sign comprising a frame, parallel supporting discs, means to rotatably support the discs in the frame in aligned position, tubes of light transmitting material and containing rareied gas arranged in parallel spirals and secured at the ends thereof to the respective discs, means on the disc to connect the respective terminals of the tubes at each end so as to establish a series connection of all the tubes, contact members rotating With the discs and connected to the end terminals of the series of tubes, stationary contact members on the frame engaging the respective rotating Contact members and being connected to a source of electricity, and means in the frame to impart rotation to the said support means so- `as to rotate the discs and the tubes therewith.

9. An illuminating sign comprising a frame, spaced discs in the frame, means rotatable in the frame to support the discs in spaced relation; a plurality of spiral tubes of light transmitting material containing rotary movement to the said support means so as to rotate the discs and the tubes there- With..

10.An illuminating sign comprising a frame, a shaft journaledj in theframe, a pair` of spaced discs fixed on the shaft, a plurality of spiral tubes of light transmitting material containing rarelied gas being disposed between the discs and spaced around the shaft, and having the ends thereof secured to the opposite discs, anv electrode in each end of each tube, connecting conductors o-n the discsto connect the respective electrodes so as to establish a series connection of all ofthe tubes, contact rings on the outside of the discs being insulated from said conductors but connected to the respective ends of the series of tubes, contact brushes on the frame connected to a source of electricity and engaging the said contact rings, and means in the frame to impart rotary movement to the said shaft soas to rotate the discs and the tubes together. v

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco, California, this June, 1929. 

